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Global Kiwi

Eileen Bryant, Florida

How long have you lived offshore?
Thirty years! I left New Zealand in December of 1994, and since then have visited several times, mostly to connect with family and friends.

What do you love most about Florida?
The wildlife and the wide open spaces. Where we live is semi-rural, and there’s a canal and a wildlife preserve behind our house, so we see a variety of critters including: deer, wild pigs, otters, raccoons, possums, wild turkeys, coyotes, foxes, squirrels, snakes, a myriad of bird species, and the occasional black bear. In our neighbourhood everyone has half an acre, so the houses are not close together.

What other places did you move to, and why did you settle in Florida?
In the past thirty years I have lived in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Okinawa, Italy, and finally Florida, where I have lived for eighteen years.

While in Saudi Arabia I met the man who would become my husband, and then accompanied him as his career took him to other countries. When he retired we moved to Florida to be near his family.

What is your favourite hidden gem destination that you would recommend to anyone visiting Florida?
Florida has so much to offer it is impossible to choose just one! The beaches are beautiful and popular with surfers and fishermen. Where we live in Ormond Beach we are close to the Daytona Speedway, Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Centre, and of course Orlando and Disney World.

The Florida Keys are a day-trip away, and Key West boasts the home of Ernest Hemingway. The Everglades are accessible via air boat, and are teeming with wildlife. All are tourist destinations, so clearly not hidden, but certainly worth visiting.

What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
Kiwis abroad are known for our work ethic, and our friendliness, our “can-do” attitude, and our knowledge of the world. Americans tend to be somewhat insular, whereas New Zealand is a little window on the world.

What do you miss most about New Zealand?
The simple things! The food – good meat pies, fish’n’chips, a variety of vegetables on the plate. I miss a good steak and kidney pie too, but Americans find the thought of eating kidneys distasteful.

The unspoiled landscape, and not being asked to “say tomato” over and over again because it’s “cute” with our accent! I also miss having my cats able to run freely in and out. There are simply too many predators here, and our one cat who loves to be outside has to wear a harness and walk with one of us. Cats should be free, but those who have short lives and meet grisly ends, sadly.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making the move overseas?
Do it! Go with an open mind and a respect for the cultural differences you will encounter. Keep your options open – you may decide to live offshore long term, or you may decide New Zealand is where your heart longs to be. Travel is the best education as long as you are prepared to learn about the countries you find yourself in.

How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand?
I cook something typically kiwi – like a roasted leg of lamb with all the trimmings, including mint sauce I buy from England; or a bacon and egg pie.

A lot of Americans travel, and I love to be asked what they should see and do while in New Zealand! I love to get out my books and photo albums, and prepare folks for their trip to my homeland.

Lilly Maetzig, London

How long have you lived offshore?
I have lived in London for 8 years – the time has absolutely flown by. I have actually been here long enough to get a British passport!

What do you love most about the UK?
I love the UK for loads of reasons – but I think mostly, moving away from home has taught me that the world is far bigger than I knew. Even though the culture here is pretty similar to NZ, I have no ties here. Moving abroad opened my eyes to the fact that I can kind of do whatever I want, and there are no expectations of me, apart from the ones that I put on myself. It’s a weird feeling that’s hard to describe, but leaving the safety net of home has been very freeing.

Why did you choose to move to the UK?
I always felt quite a pull to London – it’s a big place, and it kind of seemed like fruit for the picking for opportunities to work in cool places, meet cool people, travel to cool places in Europe. It was an easy move for me too, as I had my sister living here, and her spare bedroom was a very soft spot to land!

What is your favourite hidden gem destination that you would recommend to anyone visiting Europe?
It’s not really a hidden gem at all, but my favourite place to visit in Europe is Copenhagen. I love Danish culture, the people, the food(!!!), and the love of craft. I am very tempted to live there for a summer or two actually.

What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
Something that I find quite sweet about being a Kiwi offshore is that often when people find out I’m from New Zealand, they will say, ‘Kiwi are the nicest people in the world!’ It makes me feel so happy that we all have this reputation of being kind, chilled out and open minded. It’s a cool thing to bring to the world.

What do you miss the most about New Zealand?
I miss my friends and family the most, of course. I find myself desperately wanting to just jump in the car, and drive over to someone’s house to hang out, and like, lay on the grass in their garden. I know I could get a car here, or go to the park, but there is something just more accessible and chill about life in New Zealand. People would absolutely think I’m nuts if I lay down in someone’s front garden here! I also really, really miss Kiwi treats, especially ginger kisses!

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making the move overseas?
Please, please do it. Nothing in this world is permanent, you can always go home if you don’t like it, but throwing yourself into the deep end, learning about a different place, meeting different people, and having nothing to hold you back will change your life.

How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand?
Honestly, I usually just go for a walk and call someone from home. It makes me feel connected. Sometimes I will have a stash of NZ treats in the cupboard too, so maybe I’ll have some Marmite on toast to keep me going for a bit!

What is the biggest similarity and difference between New Zealand and UK & Europe that some people might not expect?
I think the thing that surprises people from this hemisphere is when they learn how similar the seasons are. I am often asked why I moved here, since it’s ‘so warm in New Zealand’ – they think that NZ is the same temperature as Australia, and are often genuinely surprised when I say that Christchurch gets just as cold as London.

The humour in the UK is pretty similar to home! People here are pretty sarcastic and dry, just like Kiwi are.

Josh Hansen, France

How long have you lived offshore?
Since June 2023.

What do you love most about France?
The history, mountains, and the diversity of experiences you can have all within one country.

Why did you choose to move to France?
I lived in France for a period when I was 12 in a very small town, then in Lyon in 2020 for university. These experiences made me want to immerse myself in the French way of life as an adult. Being in the middle of Europe has also been great for visiting friends and travelling.

What is your favourite hidden gem destination that you would recommend to anyone visiting France?
Le Quesnoy! The beautiful town in northern France liberated by New Zealand soldiers in the final week of World War One should be on every Kiwi’s bucket list. With the New Zealand Liberation Museum Te Arawhata now open, Le Quesnoy offers an experience of French community and history in a way where you’ll never feel closer to home.

What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
I think how being away from home reminds you so often of what it means to be a Kiwi, and all the great things Aotearoa has to offer.

What do you miss the most about New Zealand?
Running into friends on every block – and the beaches.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making the move overseas?
Be open to the unexpected. Moving overseas opens doors where you may least expect.

How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand?
By listening to Whaling by DD Smash.

Joel Higgins, Vancouver

How long have you lived offshore?
20 years and 8 months give or take!

What do you love most about Vancouver?
I live in Maple Ridge 45 minutes east of downtown Vancouver. I like the variety in people, food, flora and fauna that each area in the Lower Mainland presents.

After living in London for 16 years the slower pace of life was also appreciated as I got older (and the lack of crowds).

Why did you choose to move to Vancouver?
I met my wife Lisa in London and decided after 16 years there it was time to be closer to family when our second child was on the way.

We did flip the proverbial coin on heading to New Zealand, Australia or Canada, and Canada won.

What is your favourite hidden gem destination that you would recommend to anyone visiting Vancouver?
Vancouver is a pretty city with the best views taken in when night skiing on Mt Seymour. It’s pretty special working a day in the office, then an hour after being on a chairlift heading for a sunset view.

What do you miss the most about New Zealand?
Meat pies, friends I have given up, and fish and chips. Plus the sense of humour as New Zealanders sarcastic wit, colloquialisms and dry delivery is utterly lost on Canadians.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making the move overseas?
Check your family tree and get that passport or ancestry visa you may be entitled to. Commit to two years as the first goes in such a blur. Finally, remember that New Zealand is not going anywhere and most of your friends and family will be the same when you return.

How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand?
Watching sport highlights on YouTube, watching All Blacks games at strange times and reading the NZ Herald. I also found a meat pie company run by a Kiwi in Edmonton and had some shipped to me during the Rugby World Cup. It’s the little things (oh, and I can get Whittakers chocolate here!).

PIES

United Kingdom:

Australia:

Europe:

US:

Canada:

Asia:

Curious about where the meat pie originated? Find out more here.

FLAT WHITES

Australia:

Rarotonga:

UK:

Europe:

US:

Canada:

Asia:

United Arab Emirates:

Who invented the flat white is a contentious debate with our neighbours across the ditch. Find out more about its origins here.

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Not long before the birth of her son, US-based Kiwi Fiona McPherson Grant, set her sights on a career in healthtech. She had no official qualifications but was determined to work her way up, gaining what she needed along the way.

“I doubled down on industry knowledge and technical certifications, knowing that the job I wanted actually required a Doctorate or Master’s Degree – I wasn’t able to ‘fake it until I made it’, I had to work really hard to get to where I wanted to be, and I made sure to say yes to every opportunity that came my way. I really had to back myself in those first 15 years of climbing the ladder in healthtech.”

Fast forward 25 years and Fiona is one of a big group of offshore Kiwi who have extensive market knowledge and experience in their chosen field. Fiona says she’s done almost everything in the healthtech industry including working as an interface developer, business systems analyst, project manager and as a C-Suite advisor in big data and analytics. So when Kea got in touch to ask her to help a global Kiwi company looking to bring a new data-based product into the US, she jumped at the opportunity.

“Orion Health had this great product that they were trying to get into the US hospital sector but they needed insights on how the hospital system worked, because the way hospitals bring in and process data here is so different to New Zealand. What they really needed was someone on the inside who could speak New Zealand back to them and bridge the gap between the terminology. Some of their team were in the US for a conference so we met for lunch and it was amazing. We talked for an hour and a half and I remember one of their team members walking away saying ‘my head is exploding!’. I told them I was happy to keep these conversations going.”

Fiona and Orion Heath’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Chris Hobson

Andrew Bowater, Global Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Culture for Orion Health, said Fiona’s extensive knowledge and willingness to help was evident within minutes of meeting her.

“As a New Zealand founded and owned global company we love being able to work with other like-minded Kiwi all around the world. It always means a lot to us when we find New Zealanders across the globe who can work with or for us, and Fiona is a great example of this.”

Securing top international talent a key priority

The team at Orion Health kept up the conversation with Fiona, and Andrew says the company realised pretty quickly that they wanted her on a much more permanent basis.

“North America is an important market for Orion Health, and having a team member who understands healthcare systems and health data in the market like Fiona does is invaluable.”

Orion Health offered Fiona a job, which she turned down as she was in the middle of an exciting project with her own company and didn’t want to leave the US.

Undeterred, the Orion Health team continued to work with Fiona and eventually were able to offer her a unique opportunity – Vice President of Data, which allowed Fiona to stay in the US and work with the company’s US sales team and also the New Zealand product development team. It’s a role Fiona describes as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“The role is all about market placement in the States for Orion Health’s new data and analytics platform, which is my speciality. It was exactly what I wanted to do in my career and offered me a massive opportunity.”

Hiring in-market talent is key for export success

Fiona and Orion Heath’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Chris Hobson

Andrew says Fiona’s unique skill set is an asset to the team and has helped them to achieve targets in the US that would otherwise have been out of reach.

“We’ve made the most of having Fiona on our team at Orion Health. Her can-do attitude means she’s fitted in with our team perfectly, and her proven track record implementing significant data and analytics strategies into healthcare systems makes her an asset to the team. We’ve worked with Kea for many years, and this connection is proof that Kea works wonders when the right people are connected with the right businesses. Kea was able to quickly link us with Fiona, whose unique skill sets were able to meet our needs with the bonus of a Kea bringing two Kiwis together in the middle of the US.”

For Fiona, the role is the perfect way for her to align both her worlds. Her expertise ensures Orion Health’s new platform aligns seamlessly with American healthcare needs and regulations, and while she is based in the US it allows her to also travel back to New Zealand frequently and connect with friends and family back home.

“If you had asked me eight years ago whether I was coming back to live in New Zealand, I would have said that my goal was to work in both America and New Zealand because I consider both my home. This role is a life changing miracle. You just never know what’s around the corner. I am so grateful to Kea for connecting us, if I had said ‘no I’m too busy’ then my life could have run a very different course.”

Natalie Walsh, London

What Anzac service did you attend? Westminster Abbey.

What significance does this event hold for you as Kiwi?
It’s very close to my heart, my Great Grandfather was in the Māori battalion, he was Niuean, they put the Cook Islanders and Tokelauans with the Māori as well. My mother always taught us to honour his memory and those who sacrificed so much. My Great Grandfather also received a BEM from the King so that’s pretty cool.

Sadly, many of the Niuean soldiers died before they made it to the UK or front lines due to lack of immunity to common colds and the flu. A handful are buried at Hornchurch cemetery; my Mum and I made a pilgrimage last year to find the graves. It was one of those lovely London days, very wet and typically we were unprepared in our summer gear. Despite that, we found them and paid our respects, you couldn’t tell we were crying because we were already sodden!

Today it’s even more important to acknowledge the suffering of many, as ongoing wars cause bloodshed. We don’t seem to have learned the lessons of the past and there is still so much greed, unrest, and anger.

What was your favourite part of the event?
I loved the young citizens’ (kids) prayers and the national anthems; the last post gets me every time.

What would you like to share with other global Kiwi about this day?
I am glad I attended, it is nice to feel connected to our culture and history, living in the big wide world can be lonely at times.

What do you think is the most important aspect of Anzac Day, and why?
To honour the memory of those who have served and sacrificed, and to remember who we are.

James Walsh (right)

James Walsh, London

What Anzac service did you attend?
I was lucky enough to attend three events in London on Anzac Day. I attended the Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Cenotaph on Parliament Street at 11am, followed by a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey at midday, followed by an Anzac Day Reception at Australia House at 4:30pm.

What significance does this event hold for you as Kiwi?
It’s hugely significant for me as a Kiwi. Both my grandfathers were involved in the war. My Dad’s Father served in Italy at the battle of Cassino & Egypt as part of the 21st Battalion in the NZ Army. He was mentioned in despatches for bravery, which was recognition for his battalion capturing a group of German soldiers. My mum’s father trained in the Air Force, got his wings but luckily the war ended before he was sent away. It was an honour to commemorate both my grandad’s and all of the brave soldiers that fought for our freedom.

What was your favourite part of the event?
The whole day was special. Westminster Abbey is incredible! It was built in 1060 and William Shakespeare is buried there! Having said that I have to say seeing the Ngati Ranana group performing the haka at a packed out Aussie House with the help of several soldiers was the highlight for me. I always get goosebumps when seeing Ngati Ranana perform but this time was next level.

What would you like to share with other global Kiwi about this day?
I think wherever you are in the world it’s important to commemorate Anzac Day, whether that’s by attending an event like I did, or by simply having a toast to our fallen soldiers. If you’re ever in London on Anzac Day I would highly recommend popping down to the Cenotaph for the Parade. It was an incredibly moving ceremony and if you’re a Royalist you may even see a Prince (Prince Edward attended the ceremony last week!)

What do you think is the most important aspect of Anzac Day, and why?
I think it’s important to remember and honour the sacrifice, courage, and service of those who fought for New Zealand and Australia. It’s not only the soldiers who lost their lives but also those who returned home with physical and psychological scars. Anzac Day provides an opportunity for reflection on the impact of war and the importance of peace, as well as a chance to express gratitude for the freedoms and liberties that were secured through the sacrifices of others.

It also allows us to commemorate the Anzac spirit – Endurance, courage, and sacrifice are integral to the national identity of Kiwi’s and Aussies. We may hate losing to each other in sport but at the end of the day we fought alongside each other at Gallipoli and we share a special bond.

Abbey Sadleir, London

What Anzac service did you attend?
The Dawn Service at the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner

What significance does this event hold for you as Kiwi?
Being so far away from home and surrounded by other New Zealanders was special. To be able to have a service to bring the expat community in London together to remember the role we played in the war was moving.

What was your favourite part of the event?
The moment of silence when the trumpet plays The Last Post.

What would you like to share with other global Kiwis about this day?
It was inspiring to see our nation recognized in such a monumental corner of London. The Wellington Arch has a long history attached to it and the building is beautiful, so being there together was beautiful.

What is the most important aspect of Anzac Day, and why?
It’s great to have an event that happens globally at dawn no matter where you are. Knowing that other Kiwis are remembering relatives and loved ones they lost and all coming together to share the moment.

Anthony Aucutt, Shanghai

What Anzac service did you attend?
The ANZAC Day Commemoration in Shanghai.

What significance does this event hold for you as Kiwi?
To remember our brave and courageous troops who have fought in all conflicts to protect our freedoms and values that we enjoy today.

What was your favourite part of the event?
To listen to stories of incredible bravery of our troops landing on the narrow beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula 109 years ago.

What would you like to share with other global Kiwi about this day?
Be proud of our men and women in uniform who are strong in their will to uphold and protect our freedoms and values of our nationhood.

What do you think is the most important aspect of Anzac Day, and why?
To always remember the sacrifices that our troops have made in defending our nation’s sovereignty and freedoms.

Hannah Churchill, Shanghai

What Anzac service did you attend?
I attended the Shanghai service at the Australian consulate residence.

What significance does this event hold for you as Kiwi?
It’s about acknowledging the history of our country and honouring the sacrifices people have made to build it.

What was your favourite part of the event?
Being able to bring our children to the event so they also get to be part of the ceremony and learn about this part of our history, especially living overseas.

What would you like to share with other global Kiwi about this day?
I think it’s great to have this day to meet and to commemorate such an important part of countries history and I encourage people wherever they are in the world to seek out and attend this service each year.

What do you think is the most important aspect of Anzac Day, and why?
I think it’s great that this service was shared with the Australian community too. I think sharing this occasion together further signifies the long standing unique bond between Australia and New Zealand.

Third from left, Hon Capt Bevan Killick

Bevan Killick, Canterbury New Zealand

What Anzac service did you attend?
I attended the Canterbury Club’s Annual Anzac Dinner the Thursday before Anzac Day, the Cathedral Square Dawn Service (followed by a cooked breakfast at the Canterbury Club)
and paid a visit to the Burnham Officers’ Mess in the afternoon of Anzac Day.

What significance does this event hold for you as Kiwi?
A number of my relatives remain buried in Europe from the Second World War. This is a
time to remember them and all who served and continue to serve. This is a time to pause
and be grateful for our New Zealand Defence Force, our veteran community and the
freedoms we enjoy due to their sacrifices.

What was your favourite part of the event?
This year I was struck by the inclusiveness of the events. The exceptional turn out for the
Dawn Service in Cathedral Square of Cadet Forces and other youth groups, the visiting
Gurkha units from 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles, the Consular Corps and our locally headquartered
world class NZ Army Band. The Anzac Dinner I attended even had a reading by Indian
Army Colonel (Retired) Deepak Gupta from a recently released book about the Indian Army
contribution at Gallipoli. Grace was offered at the dinner by Ukrainian Catholic Bishop
Mykola Bychok CSsR. We remembered not just the historic events but the troubled areas of
the world and all those who serve. Those aspects stress the importance of military service
and the freedoms we enjoy as a result of that service and sacrifice.

What would you like to share with other global Kiwi about this day?
It is important to pause on and around Anzac Day and reflect on the sacrifices made and the
freedoms we enjoy currently. Our world is a fragile place and we need to be grateful for the
relative peace we currently enjoy and support our Armed Forces, Veterans and their whānau
/families. There are many who have served recently who bear the scars both seen and
unseen of their service. They need our support.

On a practical note, for those attending an Anzac Service, for goodness sake, eat something
before you go and have an Anzac biscuit in your jacket pocket. There were fainters young
and old this year. Please look after yourself and others.

What do you think is the most important aspect of Anzac Day, and why?
It is beautifully summed up in the Ode of Remembrance “Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a
rātou”, “We will remember them”. When you sit next to a Ukrainian Bishop at dinner who is a
dead ringer for Volodymyr Zelensky, who knows what the future holds? It certainly causes
you to pause and reflect on the past, sacrifices made, current service, the state of our New
Zealand Defence Force, veterans, global geopolitics and what the future holds. Lest we
forget.

When Scott first set off to the UK in 2008 he was a 27-year-old trained accountant ready for his next big opportunity. Heading to London and landing a job working in corporate finance in the middle of the GFC provided a baptism by fire for the young Kiwi.

“It was a very intense period. There was a lot of change in the market and there were a lot of businesses in real trouble. So it was a good place to cut my teeth and get my first overseas experience. However after a couple of years I realised what I really wanted was to actually get into a business and see how things operated on the inside.”

Scott at the Scottish Coast to Coast to 2013

This desire to better understand the running of a business led to Scott landing a role at one of Britain’s most iconic brands – Burton’s Biscuit Company, home of Jammy Dodgers and Wagon Wheels.

“It was an awesome business to work for. In the UK, biscuits are quite a big deal, the Brits love their tea and biscuits. However, over the years the way people snack has changed, so the challenge for us at that time was utilising the factories that we had to create the best possible financial outcomes and while also creating great products for consumers. I ended up working there for five years, which was a lot longer than I had imagined, but I learnt so much.”

The end of that role saw Scott return to New Zealand in 2015, and take up a role with a
Kiwi company who was looking to expand their business in the UK and the US, something Scott’s offshore insights were perfectly positioned to help with.

“The company I joined on my return to New Zealand was originally a Kiwi company, which had grown into Australia, and was starting to grow into the UK so I was able to bring a unique perspective around entering new markets which was valuable for both of us. A lot of my work in the UK was around finance and strategy and how to grow value. It gave me exposure to how UK markets operated, but we also had US investors so I felt like I was continuously learning. It also taught me what businesses need to focus on when entering new markets and gave me the confidence that New Zealand businesses can make it on the global stage, you just have to understand your value.”

Scott worked for that company for the next seven years, returning to the UK for two of those years to support the company’s expansion plan.

“The second time I moved overseas, I had my wife and two young children. We moved in the middle of Covid, which wasn’t ideal, but I was the CFO of the company at the time and ultimately it became too difficult to continue to grow in the UK and the US when you couldn’t travel from New Zealand.”

Scott and family in the small mountain village of Deia, Mallorca in 2022

Last year Scott and his family once again returned to New Zealand, and he has recently been appointed the CFO for online marketplace Trade Me.

“I love New Zealand and I knew I was always going to come back, I love the lifestyle that my family has here, and I knew there would be trade offs. I think you need to have an open mind when you come back. The opportunities are different but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a role you love. What’s cool about Trade Me is it’s purely a New Zealand business. I’m dealing with one time zone and we are very focused on creating value for New Zealanders, which is really satisfying.”

Happily settled back in New Zealand, Scott says he’s now passionate about sharing what he has learnt with other Kiwi businesses in the hope that he can support others on their own global journeys.

“Overseas markets are bigger and there is more expertise. It’s important for people to bring those learnings back to New Zealand and share them with others on the same path, because a lot of what you are sharing is just the context of what’s possible. Some of the best advice I have been given in my career is to listen and take things in and really hear what people have to say. There’s a wealth of knowledge outside of the country and as Kiwi we have this wonderful opportunity of being able to go and work overseas, and to then bring that skill set back to New Zealand and help others. It’s something I have been fortunate enough to do several times already and I hope I will have the opportunity to do it again.”

What was it that originally appealed to you about this role?

I was attracted to working in the heart of Europe across a range of significant and interesting bilateral relationships with varied challenges and opportunities. I love working in the Brussels bubble but I also love getting out of it and seeing the EU from the perspective of more recent members with different histories and interests.

What are the biggest challenges you are facing in this role? 

One of the biggest challenges is the spread of issues and countries. I constantly feel the pressure to do more, and have to manage the expectations of bilateral partners carefully. The EU and NATO can swallow up all your time and energy but the bilateral relationships with member states are critical to understanding what makes the EU really tick.

What value do you hope to add during your time in Belgium, and across your regions? 

Belgium and New Zealand have close historical ties which date back to WWI. There are more New Zealand soldiers buried in Flanders than anywhere else in the world. Honouring these close ties is a privilege and an honour. Beyond this, my priority for the relationship with Belgium was winning their support for our FTA through lots of quiet diplomacy and careful advocacy. Belgium has a mixed record on supporting FTAs but ultimately they did support the NZ-EU FTA – phew! A large proportion of New Zealand exports into Europe come in via the port of Antwerp so ensuring that our interests at the border are protected is also key. 

Beyond that we seek to be an open and constructive partner with open lines of communication to address issues as they arrive – ranging from sharing approaches on tricky consular cases, to working together on Covid vaccine delivery (almost all of New Zealand’s vaccines came from Belgium!), or talking about our respective approaches to the Indo-Pacific. Belgium is currently EU President which has provided further opportunities to work together.

Why is New Zealand’s relationship with Belgium, Luxembourg, Romania, Moldova so important? 

Each of these partners has a slightly different relationship but what is common to them all is our shared values and our shared commitment to the rules based order. With the arguable exception of Romania which can hardly be considered small, we are all small trading nations that have benefited enormously from the certainty and clarity of the international rules based order.

What value can strengthening ties between NZ and your regions bring to Kiwi? 

As the world gets trickier to navigate, having friends who share our values is more important than ever. Strengthening ties between New Zealand and these partners will mean we can work together to protect the rules based order and that we can together navigate the global challenges we face including climate change and increasing geostrategic competition. Following the conclusion of the EU FTA there are also new and improved opportunities for our exporters – Europe is one of the largest and wealthiest markets in the world and the opportunities are enormous. Our job, together with NZTE, is to help exporters find them and make the most of them.

What opportunities are there for growing Kiwi business in your market? 

The opportunities vary across the five countries. Belgium presents opportunities as an easy market to learn how to navigate European ways of doing business and lots of local expertise on how to do business across Europe. In Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova there is rapid development in parts of the economy and opportunities for healthtech, fintech and agritech. While we will always have to battle the perception that our food and beverages come from too far away, our sustainability credentials make us attractive and our innovative thinking is of great interest to partners here. Europe is known for its high quality and its high standards both of which present opportunities for New Zealand companies. It’s not always instinctive for our exporters to look to Europe but it is easier than people think!

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